House Debt Ceiling Bill Hinges On A Few Republicans Who Want More
April 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says his debt ceiling package will move ahead to a vote unchanged, despite some rank-and-file members of his caucus advocating additions. The measure currently proposes work requirements for people to qualify for Medicaid and food assistance.
North Dakota Enacts One Of Nation’s Most Restrictive Abortion Laws
April 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican, signed a ban on all abortion except for cases of rape, incest, or medical emergency in which it is only allowed in the first six weeks of pregnancy. In Colorado, a new law administering unproven abortion reversal drugs is challenged in court.
How Old Is Too Old? Voters Will Decide As Biden Announces Reelection Bid
April 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
At 80, Joe Biden is already the oldest U.S. president, and he would be 86 at the end of a second term. Does his age bring wisdom or liability? Many elderly voters support his candidacy, and some doctors have previously said the president is likely a “super-ager.” But many younger voters aren’t convinced.
First Edition: April 25, 2023
April 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Did a Military Lab Spill Anthrax Into Public Waterways? New Book Reveals Details of a US Leak
By Alison Young
April 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
“Pandora’s Gamble” describes how 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of wastewater potentially containing anthrax, Ebola, and other deadly pathogens spilled from an Army facility in Frederick, Maryland, in 2018.
A California Physician Training Program Adds Diversity, but Where Do Graduates End Up?
By Stephanie Stephens
April 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Researchers found that, while a University of California medical training program has diversified the system’s pool of medical students, there’s not enough long-term data to know whether graduates return to practice where they’re needed most.
Depressed? Anxious? Air Pollution May Be a Factor
By Jim Robbins
Illustration by Oona Zenda
April 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A growing body of research is finding links between air quality and mental health, as therapists report seeing patients with symptoms linked to pollution.
El dolor, la esperanza y la ciencia chocan cuando los atletas recurren a los hongos mágicos
By Markian Hawryluk and Kevin Van Valkenburg, ESPN
April 24, 2023
KFF Health News Original
El uso de hongos psicodélicos está ganando terreno en los Estados Unidos. Investigadores predicen que la FDA aprobará un tratamiento psicodélico en los próximos cinco años.
Listen: Mifepristone Remains Available for Now. What Happens Next?
April 24, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The Supreme Court on April 21 ruled that the abortion pill mifepristone should remain widely available while the lower courts consider the issue, blocking earlier rulings that banned or restricted access to the drug. KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner joined NPR’s “Weekend All Things Considered” to discuss the complicated case.
¿Se podrá cumplir con la meta de terminar con la epidemia de VIH para 2030?
By Daniel Chang and Sam Whitehead
April 24, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Debido a las interrupciones de la pandemia, los funcionarios federales no han tenido estimaciones sólidas de nuevas infecciones o el número de personas que viven con VIH desde finales de 2019.
Delaware Becomes 22nd State Permitting Recreational Marijuana
April 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Marijuana became legal for personal use starting Sunday, as long as consumption happens in private. USA Today points out employers are still allowed to have zero-tolerance policies. Separately, a fierce lobbying fight has been sparked by New York’s plan to ban menthol-flavored cigarettes.
Morning Briefing for Monday, April 24, 2023
April 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Abortion pill access, a growing hunger crisis, covid, opioids, Medicare drug coverage, magic mushrooms, flu, HIV, and more are in the news.
Facing Bans, Transgender Youth Rush To Find Gender-Affirming Treatment
April 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover the dire situation faced by trans youth as they seek gender-affirming care while, in some places, medical providers delivering such care are banned from providing it. Reports say even in states without bans, some providers face harassment for providing gender care.
Catching Influenza Possibly Tied To Higher Heart Attack Risk
April 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study links a diagnosis of the flu to possibly being six times more susceptible to having a heart attack in the days that follow. Increased rates of kids ingesting illicit substances, research into unknown viruses found in baby diapers, and more are also in the news.
CDC Busy Retraining Staff, Releasing Data, Updating Website
April 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Axios reports on efforts to overhaul the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with director Rochelle Walensky noting the progress that’s been made. In other news, HHS and CMS unveil a hospice and home health agency ownership database; the DOJ targets some providers for wrongful billing; and more.
Weight Loss Drug Manufacturers Aim For Medicare Coverage
April 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal reports that even as costly diabetes and obesity drugs are in vogue for their weight loss powers, the drugmakers are busy lobbying Congress to grant them access to Medicare coverage money. NBC News, on the other hand, covers worries that the drugs are linked to hair loss.
As Allergy Season Arrives, Concerns New Covid Variant May Cause Pinkeye
April 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is a common allergy season symptom, but this year there are concerns that Arcturus covid (a.k.a. XBB.1.16) is also causing the same symptom — even though it’s not been formally linked to the virus.
Owners Of Opioid Maker Gave Millions To Body Advising Govt. On Drug Crisis
April 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times covers concerns that members of the Sackler family, owners of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, donated millions of dollars to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine — which has been a source of advice to the White House and Congress on the opioid crisis.
Alarm Grows Over Hunger Crisis While Cuts To SNAP Aid Considered
April 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Food banks in the U.S. report emptying shelves as demand from hungry Americans is back to pandemic levels. Concurrently, House Republicans are pushing for work requirements for people seeking aid.